Favorite Schools

Favorite Teams

Michigan

Change Region

comments

Detroit schools question accuracy of dismal scores in national assessment of urban districts

Detroit scores.jpg

Twenty-one urban, public school districts participated in the National Assessment of Education Progress' 2013 Trial Urban District Assessment. Results are based on samples of 1,100 to 2,300 fourth-grade students and 900 to 2,100 eighth graders in each district.
((NAEP))

DETROIT, MI -- A math and reading test given to fourth and eight graders in 21 large urban school districts around the country showed dismal results for Detroit Public Schools, but the district is challenging part of the assessment.

Compared to 2011 scores, Detroit students showed small, statistically insignificant changes in three of four categories and a disturbing six-point drop in eighth-grade math, according to results from the 2013 National Assessment of Education Progress.

Detroit scores in each category were significantly below the average assessment for the 21 tested districts, many of which share Detroit's struggle with high rates of poverty.

District spokesman Steven Wasko said that while the scores are lower than other urban districts, Detroit has shown some improvement in all four categories since joining the assessment in 2009.

As for the six-point drop in eighth-grade math, district officials believe it's inaccurate.

"The district has begun the appeal procedure for 2013 results in Grade 8 Mathematics, where a six point decline from 2011-2013 does not correlate with other increases nor the same testing cohort’s progress on the Michigan’s Educational Assessment Program (MEAP), which recently showed a 3.7 point increase," Wasko said in an email message.

He said 86 percent of Detroit Public Schools eighth graders passed algebra class over the last three years.

"Detroit’s scores remain lower than the other urban districts and officials believe continued implementation of the district’s academic plan and ability to maintain a stability in school and classroom leadership and programs will result in DPS’ NAEP performance to match its current trajectory on the MEAP, where most recent score data showed improvements in scores on 17 of 18 assessments with increases surpassing those across the state in 14 of 18 categories," Wasko said.

He listed some measures that are being taken to improve performance, including new netbook computers provided to all 8th-12th-grade students, extended reading and math instruction, parent engagement and other initiatives related to data and lesson planning.

Education Trust-Midwest, a Michigan research and advocacy group focused on school performance, particularly among minority students, called Detroit's performance "deplorable."

"Clearly we have an education crisis in our state, regardless of sector – traditional or charter public schools,” said Amber Arellano, the group's executive director.

“We’ve known this for years, and these new data reinforce that we are not doing enough to better serve our students. As a state, we need to focus on and invest in proven strategies and policies that raise achievement, especially in our urban centers such as Detroit.”